Rookie Watch: Logan Schuss

In a difficult season for the Ohio Machine, several bright young stars have stepped up in the moment of need to give the second year team hope for the future. The Machine have been able to create a solid foundation for long-term success with the acquisition of several game changing rookies. With the team’s first draft pick as a member of the league in 2012, Ohio selected former Tewaaraton Award winner, Steele Stanwick. The former Virginia star quickly became a fan favorite and continues to perform in his sophomore season. Perhaps an even more important player move, however, was the 2013 drafting of a young man who has taken much of the defensive attention away from Stanwick, Logan Schuss.

Schuss, a first year professional who calls Canada his home, was drafted in the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft 11th overall by Ohio. A four-year starter at Ohio State, Schuss has made an immediate impact for the Machine and currently leads all MLL rookies in goals scored. Schuss’s unorthodox style of play has set him apart from other rookies so far this season, the Canadian style player is exclusively left-handed.

While Schuss is not the first box-style player to play professional outdoor lacrosse, he is one of the few to put up numbers in his rookie campaign that are this impressive. In his first nine games as a pro, Schuss has been Ohio’s number two scorer with 27 points (23 goals, 4 assists). He currently ranks second in the league behind Rob Pannell for points by a rookie, the Lizards’ attackman currently sits at 33 (20 goals, 13 assists).

Scoring has been the platform for Schuss’s rookie campaign, but he brings something to the table that cannot be coached. Incredible on field awareness, combined with the ability to make his teammates better, has made Schuss one of the leading candidates for the Cascade Rookie of the Year award. A perfect offensive complement to Stanwick, Schuss has given MLL fans in the state of Ohio a reason to be excited for the future.

Machine fans may not have much to root for this postseason with their team being eliminated from playoff contention, however, there still could be a trophy coming back to the Buckeye State. Check back next Tuesday for the second profile of a Cascade Rookie of the Year candidate.